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Indon presidential camps both claim 'win'

JAKARTA

Indonesia will have to wait weeks to find out the official winner of its presidential race, after both sides declared a win in the bitterly-fought contest.

Almost 190 million Indonesians voted in the world's third-biggest democracy on Wednesday, ending the most polarising campaign since the fall of Suharto.

Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, as he's better known, had a lead of around 25 per cent in the polls until his rival Prabowo Subianto's better planned and bankrolled campaign drew them almost level on the eve of the vote.

In indicative "quick count" results after Wednesday's polls closed, Jokowi's ticket had 53 per cent of the vote versus the Prabowo ticket's 47 per cent.

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It was enough for former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, the chairwoman of Jokowi's party, to weep with joy on national TV.

But the would-be president was calm.

"Based on the announcement from quick counts until now it shows Jokowi-JK is at the point of winning," he told reporters.

But Prabowo's camp said based on its preferred polling, their ticket was in front, and this would eventually be confirmed in the official results.

Surrounded by supporters chanting "Prabowo! President!" the ex-general gave a defiant statement.

"We're grateful that from all reports coming in, we ... received the support and mandate of the Indonesian people," he said.

Quick counts have proven accurate in past elections.

Now, with both sides claiming a win, Indonesians will have to wait until official results from the full count, at the earliest on July 22.

The uncertainty didn't stop Jokowi and his supporters from celebrating.

Arriving to a guard of honour in a central Jakarta park, he declared his confidence in the quick count numbers, and the start of a new chapter for Indonesia.

"This is the victory of all people of Indonesia," he said.

Jokowi also paid tribute to "patriots" Prabowo and his vice presidential candidate Hatta Rajasa, saying he appreciated their contribution to democracy.

Later, jubilant Jokowi supporters let off fireworks and paraded in Jakarta's streets with no doubts about the election result.

The huge contrast between the candidates has seen this election billed as a turning point - a point where Indonesia will leap into a newly progressive future or look to the past.

Jokowi, 53, has made eradicating corruption and improving social welfare his trademark policies as Jakarta's governor, and to many, he represents a breath of fresh air.

Among them were Jakarta voter Mona Siregar, who sees him as an "honest" man.

"I think he can lead Indonesia to become a better nation," she said.

Subianto, 62, has deep roots in the Suharto era and has raised fears he would return authoritarian rule to Indonesia.

Although dogged by allegations of past human rights abuses, many Indonesians are drawn to Prabowo for the authority he projects, like Tantri Murniati, of Bekasi, outside Jakarta.

"He's strict, he has dignity, and has more experience in international business," she said.

Current president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is barred from seeking a third term in office.